The Legacy of the Father . . . (Chuck's Post)

This is something I wrote the night before Dad passed away:

The grace of God reminds me of His love and I know He will take care of my Dad. Becky and I believe in God's Word and His promises, and we won't be fooled by our feelings or our thoughts - we will not be shaken.

The things that I remember about Dad are: 

• that he always took me fishing opening day of trout season. That was always a special time for us - when he was willing to let down his guard and talk openly with me;
• that he always tried to help me when I was first married. He and Mom drove Becky out to California after I finished Boot Camp, and then he and Pete drove out to get us after Ryan was born;
• that he allowed Becky and Ryan to stay with them while I was away in the Navy;
• that he took us to Uncle Lawrence's farm, where we and our cousins, the Bruette's, rode the snowmobile and towed each other on an old car hood across the open fields;
• Dad always loved to play cards and dominoes, so my last memories of him were of playing cribbage and chicken foot.

Dad was a hard worker and he was very strong physically. I suppose those are characteristics I received from him. He took us to Uncle Jack's in the summertime to help with the work of haying with our cousins, the Fritz's. Through this we learned we could have fun even while working hard.

I decided not to come to the funeral, because I chose to spend this summer with Dad. That way I could remember him through life. It was one of the hardest things I've ever had to do - leaving the country knowing that I might never see him again. The time I spent with him was not always easy, but because I chose to listen to my Father in Heaven and be there for my earthly Dad, I chose to be God's son and His servant, and in many ways it made me a better person. I learned that if I followed the promises of God, He would get me through all the challenges that were before me, and I have no regrets about not coming home at this time, for I chose to be with him in life rather than in death.

No one knows what's inside of a person, except God, and I'm hoping Dad knew Jesus according to God's will, and that we'll see him again one day in heaven. So as his son, I will chose to live a legacy not through his name, but thru God's son, Jesus, which will enrich Dad's name, because I was born of him. My legacy now, through Jesus, will pass to our sons, Ryan and Aaron, and soon to our grandson, Declan Andrew - they are my priority, because the Word of God says: "But I lavish unfailing love for a thousand generations on those who love Me and obey my commands." - Exodus 20:6

 This is a song that I found in a song book here in Jerusalem:

The Color Song

Red is the color of blood that flowed

down the face of Someone who loved us so.

He's the perfect Man, He's God's own Son,

He's the perfect Man. 

He's the only One that can give life, that makes us grow,

That can make the love between us flow.

Blue is the color of a heart so cold

that it will not bend when the story's told

of the love for a sinful race,

 of the blood that flowed down Jesus' face.

That can give us life, that can make us grow,

that can turn our mourning into gold.

Brown is the color of autumn leaves

when the winter comes to the barren trees.

There is birth, there is death, there is a Plan. 

There is just one God, there is just one Man.

What can give us life that can make us grow

that makes our sins as white as snow?

Jesus Christ the One who gave it all.

To my brothers and sisters, I miss you. I pray God will richly bless you with His mercy and that you will have peace.

To Gertie, who was not a substitute for Mom, but someone who loved our Dad and took care of him in his last years, I want to thank you. You always treated us just like your own kids. I pray God's blessings over your life and that you would feel the presence of God's peace.

I want to thank our family at Grace Foursquare Church for always making our Dad feel important and part of the family by calling him "Grandpa Pete". Blessings to you all!

Shalom from Israel!